V. I.

Lenin

203

To:   HIS SISTER MARIA

Maria Ilyinichna Ulyanova, Davydov’s House, Apt. 4, Bozheninsky Street, Devichye Polye, Moscow, Russia

Dear Manyasha, I received your letter a few days ago and have been
intending all the time to answer it. I have recently been very
busy with urgent work and have not had a single hour to spare. I have also received the historian’s letter and
will answer it (if you have an opportunity tell him that),
but cannot do so at the moment (immediately).

I have had a letter from Mitya and was extremely surprised at the news of his
accident. [3] He says he is getting better and will soon start learning to walk. Please write
and tell me how he is convalescing. Has he lost his job
or is it still open and will it remain open until he has fully
recovered? When he has recovered will he be able to cover
his territory as before?

You do not write anything about Anyuta and I have not received anything from her for a long time. Does she like
the new town? [1]

How is Mother keeping now? Has she recovered from her influenza?

We have had—and they still continue—floods in Paris such as have not been known for a long time. You have probably read about it in the newspapers. I managed to get
as far as the Seine on two occasions (horse buses are running reduced services, the metro and the trams are at a
standstill). The resultant “Venice in Paris” is a truly strange
sight. Many people are out of work. There will probably
be all sorts of accidents, houses collapsing, etc., when the
water subsides.

We are living quietly, no changes. Nadya runs around to all the schools that teach French and is zealously pushing
ahead. My bicycle case ended in my favour. [2]

I have received the Moscow City Statistics—a big merci .

Give Mother many kisses for me. Best regards from all.

Yours,

V. U.

Excuse me for writing so scrappily. My attention is being distracted.

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Notes:
[1]
Anyuta was in Saratov at the time.— Ed .

[2]
See Letter No. 201.— Ed .

[3]
In the winter of 1909–10 Lenin’s brother Dmitry broke his leg
and dislocated his collarbone (see Letter No. 205).